CINCINNATI (AP) -A judge ruled on Wednesday that suspended Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman can remain on probation for a drunken driving conviction, but warned him that he must follow the rules if he wants to stay there.
“It’s between you and (your probation officer) whether you see my ugly face again,” Hamilton County Municipal Judge John Burlew said.
Thurman, 24, was put on probation for two years in June after Burlew gave him a suspended 90-day jail sentence and ordered him to serve six days in a treatment center. Thurman pleaded no contest and was convicted in February following his arrest a year ago.
Thurman had to return to court after a probation officer said he missed a meeting. He also was accused of not seeking treatment.
Burlew noted Wednesday that Thurman has since sought treatment and again warned Thurman about the dangers of alcohol, but complimented him on how well he was doing with sobriety.
Thurman was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of last season because he skipped a drug test. It was extended to the full season after the arrest for drunken driving.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell denied Thurman’s request for reinstatement for this season.
Thurman is one of 10 Bengals arrested over a 14-month span. Receiver Chris Henry was suspended by Goodell for the first eight games of the 2007 season for repeatedly violating the league’s conduct policy.
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